Workers battle privatization

Workers World, 11 April, 1996

Teachers, health-care workers, miners and oil workers have
launched a series of strikes demanding higher wages and an
end to the government's privatization plans. Demonstrators
clashed with the cops and the military several times in
March. At least one worker has been killed.

The wave of strikes began on March 11, when 40 union
leaders launched a hunger strike. Public-school and
university teachers walked off the job.

On March 18, the Bolivian Workers Confederation (COB)
called a general strike. The COB is protesting the
government's decision to sell off the state-owned oil
company.

At least 30,000 workers took to the streets of the
capital, La Paz, on March 27. Cops attacked the
demonstrators with rifles and tear gas.

Bolivian President Gonzalo S nchez de Lozada reflects the
current "neoliberal" trend that has swept the ruling classes
throughout Latin America. This trend, tied openly to the
United States and the International Monetary Fund, is aimed
at dismantling state-owned indus tries to bring more profit
to the private sector. In past decades many basic
industries--oil, power, and metals--were nationalized to
protect local capitalists from domination by U.S. capital.

"We are one of the poorest countries in the world, and now
they want to sell one of the last remaining resources we
have--oil," said health worker Lucia Morales.

A wave of strikes last year in Bolivia prompted Sanchez to
declare a state of siege.